Managing Up
Managing up isn’t about politics.
It’s about clarity, influence, and trust.
Whether you’re new to leadership or rising in the ranks, your ability to manage upward—to communicate effectively with your boss, align priorities, and advocate for your team—is one of the most overlooked but powerful skills you can develop.
The best managers don’t just manage their teams.
They manage relationships in every direction.
Why Managing Up Matters:
✅ It improves communication and reduces confusion
✅ It aligns expectations before misalignment becomes a problem
✅ It earns credibility and visibility at higher levels
✅ It helps your boss do their job better—which helps you, too
What Most Managers Overlook:
Most people assume managing up means staying quiet, playing it safe, or agreeing with everything.
But the real value lies in speaking up with clarity and respect—especially when there’s misalignment.
If your boss doesn’t know your roadblocks, your bandwidth, or your strategic insights… that’s not on them.
That’s on you.
Real-World Strategy: The “Proactive Update”
Instead of waiting for a check-in, send a weekly or biweekly email with three bullets:
What we’re working on
What we need help with
What’s coming next
Short. Clear. Actionable.
That’s managing up in motion.
How to Get It Right:
✅ Learn how your boss likes to receive information (email, Slack, quick updates)
✅ Anticipate their concerns before they voice them
✅ Offer solutions, not just problems
✅ Be transparent—but always professional
Don’t:
❌ Blindside them with last-minute surprises
❌ Assume silence equals alignment
❌ Wait for direction if you already know what needs to be done
Managing up isn’t about control.
It’s about contribution.
Make it easier for your leaders to trust you—by managing that relationship with purpose.